Saturday, April 29, 2006

No wonder Reggie Bush didn't want to say who paid the rent on his parents' $757,000 house near San Diego. Because it wasn't his mother or stepfather.

According to Michael Michaels, the owner of the house and founder of New Era Sports, he paid the rent with the understanding that he would eventually be paid back when Reggie Bush started earning NFL millions. Most damaging, Michaels claims Reggie Bush knew about the situation.

Granted, the word of this Michael Michaels guy and/or his gang-member partner Lloyd Lake (now back in prison) is probably as reliable as that of former Enron execs but it certainly looks worse and worse (for a picture of the bolo tie-wearing Mr. Michaels, check out EDSBS).

19 comments:

This just stinks. I have a question: How should a university police this type of problem? My friend suggested that the compliance officer use private investigators for the families of the team's superstars. But you can't actually check into their tax records, for example. Also, say you have a star who is out of favor with the coach. A parent might exact revenge on the school in a number of ways. A disgruntled alum could potentially do the same. How far should they go? Thanks.

I had an honest question and the two responses following are nothing but attempts to slam USC. Really, what should be done? Do a background check on the parents? Is it proper to use a P.I. on them? I'm not asking a rhetorical question.

You are right. If the parents do the dirty deed it's still a violation. I just don't know how to make parents comply. My suggestion is exactly what my friend said: Target the superstars and use a P.I. But of course you will hear claims of invasion of privacy, which is indeed what it is. Perhaps an agreement that you will comply with a university's internal investigation with the understanding that failure to do so will result in loss of scholarship for the kid and subject you to civil penalties. But I really don't know!

I don't know if there really is an effective way to handle this. The PI is a good idea in theory, but just think of the cost to implement such a system at every or even most big time college programs. It's more than likely an astronomical amount and wouldn't be feasible. I'm stumped as to how you would regulate these supposed "benefits" as well.

If there was a contract to pay rent which was not a sham then we have the problem of being a deadbeat. That's not an NCAA violation. The question will be the type of contract and what the terms were. In any event, I think the step-dad didn't help Reggie at all with his attitude and actions.

i think you will see some tightening of discipline at USC- let's see if it works and we don't get too hurt over this. Dang this might mess us up getting the NC next year, we might have to wait a year or two....

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